National Geographic President and CEO John Fahey, accompanied by a delegation of National Geographic explorers and photographers, is in Oviedo, Spain, to accept the 2006 Prince of Asturias Award for Communication and Humanities. The awards will be formally presented by Crown Prince Felipe on Oct. 20.

The award honors a person or organization whose work contributes significantly to universal culture in the fields of communication and humanities. The Society’s selection was announced by the Award’s jury at its meeting on May 10. The Prince of Asturias Foundation, created in 1980 by the Prince of Asturias, heir to the Spanish throne, and his parents the King and Queen of Spain, grants eight awards annually in various categories.

National Geographic was cited for playing a crucial role in exploring the world’s diverse people, places and cultures through its magazines, the National Geographic Channel, films, books, maps and interactive media.

For more information on the awards, visit the Prince of Asturias Foundation web site at www.fpachannel.com. The site will feature coverage of the events held on the days leading up to the 2006 Prince of Asturias Awards presentation ceremony.